NAB says many are ready for the digital switch, but will support a delay

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) says most people appear ready for the switch to digital television. Even so, the NAB is supporting the move passed Wednesday in the U.S. House to delay the switch to June 12. Lawmakers who voted to delay the switch say at least 6.5 million American households are not ready and that their televisions may go dark.

In a survey released Thursday, the NAB says more than eight out of 10 American households that will be most impacted by the impending switch have prepared for the transition. The report says families are learning more about their options:

1. By applying for a converter box coupon. (A converter box is needed on an older analog television that relies on an over the air signal using an antenna. The converter box allows the analog television to receive the digital signal.)

2. Or buying a new digital television. (A new digital television will have a digital tuner in it.)

3. For those who have cable or satellite, no change is supposed to be necessary. You can keep using your analog set.

The NAB also reported that awareness of the DTV transition nationally is high, and that 97 percent of all households are aware that TV is switching to digital and have some knowledge of how the transition will impact over-the-air signals.

However, NAB spokesperson Shermaze Ingram tells WSAV that the "organization became very concerned when word came out that the coupon program for converter boxes had run out of money and would not be able to distribute coupons in time for the February 17 switch."

Ingram says because of that, the NAB supports delaying the switch. "We want to make sure that the most vunerable viewers don't lose their television reception," she told me.

The coupon program has a backlog of more than 3.5 million requests. Money for additional coupons would be provided in the stimulus bill now making its way through Congress. The House bill also extends the coupon program until the end of July and for those holding expired coupons, the legislation provides for one additional coupon per household.

Many broadcast companies, including Media General which owns WSAV, that have spent millions to prepare for the February 17 switch, are apparently evaluating the criteria in the House bill. According to a spokesperson from Congressman Jack Kingston's office, the bill says "stations may (still) switch before the date (of June 12) as long as they meet the FCC's requirements."

Ingram says the NAB is also evaluating what, if any new criteria may need to be followed now. She does say if stations pursue an earlier date for the switch it will be their responsibility to "make sure viewers understand that while they may have heard of a new date in June, that it might not be the case in their market, that the switch to digital might be earlier than that for them."